Air Force Drops Case Against Spying Suspect

WASHINGTON — Seven months after detaining a U.S. electronics officer on suspicion of providing secrets to the Soviet Union, the Air Force on Friday dropped its investigation of Capt. John Vladimir Hirsch and gave him an early honorable discharge.

“The investigation could not substantiate any espionage. The case is closed,” said Technical Sgt. Edward Rasco, a spokesman for the Electronic Security Command at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Hirsch, 33, a member of the command, was taken into custody in July in West Berlin, where he served as a chief electrical engineer in the 690th Electronic Security Wing. The unit at Tempelhof Central Airport gathered information on Warsaw Pact air and troop movements and safeguarded U.S. military communications against East Bloc jamming and eavesdropping.

Pentagon officials said at the time that he had failed a polygraph examination during a security check. They said a search of his living quarters revealed several uncashed paychecks, a number of classified military documents and photos, and papers indicating he had traveled frequently to Austria, Italy and France.

However, in October the Air Force, indicating its probe of suspected espionage contacts was faltering, relaxed the conditions of his detention at Kelly Air Force Base to allow him to leave the installation and resume work.

Friday, the Pentagon officially closed the case.

Hirsch, who officials said requested an early discharge, could not be reached for comment.